Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 4

Written Answers. - General Practitioner Service.

Jack Wall

Question:

75 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the new doctor-on-call system that is operating within the health board areas; the investigation his Department has carried out to ensure the services of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27281/01]

Bernard Allen

Question:

115 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his spending targets in relation to the development of GP co-operatives in 2001. [27412/01]

Bernard Allen

Question:

116 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has met the Irish Medical Organisation to start negotiations on agreed standard pay rates which would formalise out-of-hours hourly rates in GP co-ops. [27413/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 115 and 116 together.

The pilot doctor-on-call projects in the North-Eastern and South-Eastern Health Board areas have been independently evaluated and the report has highlighted the fact that the initiatives achieve their objective to provide an enhanced level of service for patients in the areas in which they are situated. A major qualitative and quantitative evaluation is also being undertaken on these projects by Professor Tom O'Dowd and this report should be available in early 2002.

The newer projects which have started in other health board areas took account of the recommendations of the evaluation conducted by Conal Devine and Associates and adapted their plans accordingly. A series of guidelines which refer to out-of-hours projects was issued to all health boards by my Department last year. These guidelines, which must be complied with by all boards with projects, emphasise accountability and the need to secure approval from my Department in advance of the commencement of a project.

The funding allocated to health board co-operatives for 2001 is as follows:

Board/Authority	£
Eastern Regional Health Authority	260,000	330,131.90
Midland Health Board	160,000	203,158.09
Mid-Western Health Board	140,000	177,763.33
North-Eastern Health Board	1,300,000	1,650,659.50
North-Western Health Board	100,000	126,973.80
South-Eastern Health Board	850,000	1,079,277.30
Southern Health Board	630,000	799,934.98
Western Health Board	125,000	158,717.25
Totals	3,565,000	4,526,616.20

This funding reflects the ongoing support of the projects that existed at the beginning of the year and allows other health boards to progress their projects.

Officials of my Department met the Irish Medical Organisation last week to commence negotiations on the issue of out-of-hours service provision. A further meeting will take place shortly.

Jack Wall

Question:

76 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the concerns of a group (details supplied) in County Kildare; the response of the health board to the group's concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27282/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The operation of the K-Doc out-of-hours project in the South-Western Area Health Board area is a matter for its chief executive officer. I have been informed that the matter relates to concerns of a group of persons about the level of service to the people of Athy after hours. I am satisfied that the board, in its reply of 27 September, has addressed the concerns of the group.